Tattoos In The Workplace Research Paper

Ashley Young
Mr. Johnston
English 10
9 March 2015
Tattoos in Society and the Workplace
Conservative views keep qualified people from obtaining certain jobs because of tattoos. Although many people believe that tattoos and piercings are unprofessional, others would argue that not hiring someone because of them is discrimination. This discrimination gets in the way of people getting jobs that they have worked hard for and deserve. Imagine this; instead of hiring a qualified person for a high-ranking job because of a tattoo, they hired someone else who looked more professional yet was less educated. In many job positions, such as a surgeon, it could be a very dangerous act. Imagine that you are going in for surgery. Would you want a surgeon

with tattoos yet is more qualified, or a surgeon who is less qualified but has no tattoos? The appearance of tattoos does not affect the performance in the workplace.
“Even though I may not like or agree with certain people’s tattoos, this does not mean that I should have the right to judge them for what they believe. It would be the same concept as religious markings and beliefs; just because I do not practice a specific belief does not mean that I should tell those people what to think” (Are tattoos acceptable in the workplace?). This is a semi-prejudice opinion, yet it does not indicate that people with body art should go unemployed or be discriminated against. Brianna Ansell continues “I still believe that it is preposterous for the public to judge others based on tattoos and piercings.” Many companies have policies that
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prohibit tattoos and piercings; which are usually outlined in an employee manual.

What if someone in your family who values their tattoos is turned away from their only option for a job because of these acts of discrimination? This is an inhumane act. Other companies, such as Ford, allow tattoos and piercings except for factory workers for safety reasons only.
Thirty years ago one in one hundred people in America had tattoos, that has now increased to one in ten people. According to Erika Icon, the author of Tattoos and Piercings in the Workplace, tattoos are becoming more acceptable. This also relates to the article Support Tattoos and Piercings at Work, which states that seventy three percent of people will hire those that have facial tattoos/piercings. This article also states that seventy six percent of employees feel that they hurt job interview chances. The work force with the highest percentage of people with tattoos is the military, which is generally one of the most respected work

forces.
Whether in school, at work or at home, tattoos and piercings should be acceptable.

Tattoos are a personal choice symbolizing who you are or what you believe in, just like religion. With many things (religion, teachings in the classroom, etc.) this shows freedom of expression, which is the first amendment of the Constitution. Not only is body art a constitutional right, it is a humane right. People should not only be able to do what they want with their body, but they should also not be singled out and thought poorly of because of this. This act of discrimination is a violation of our rights. Many managers do admit that they will not hire someone who has a visible tattoo due to offensive appearance which is understandable. Some skinhead’s have visible tattoos that are hateful or racist. For example, some have a tattoo that has the numbers 666

representing

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satan. Others may have a pair of boots showing that they will or have beat a victim to the ground and kicking them with their steel-toed boots. This is the only exception where these people are
showing that they are actually dangerous and are meaning to offend or harm other people according to the article Racist Skinheads.
Some people with professional jobs do have tattoos. Some are visible and some are not. Twenty two percent of people that work for agriculture and/or ranching have a tattoo. Twenty percent of people that work in hospitals, tourism, and recreation have a tattoo. These are not necessarily high percentages for people that have tattoos and a professional job according to the article Do You Have a Tattoo?, but it is possible for someone to be hired into a professional field and have a tattoo.
This problem can easily be solved. “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” Businesses do not follow this saying, but they should. Yes, they do have the right to hire who they want, but that can sometimes come with consequences. Businesses should not immediately judge a person on their appearance because appearances can be misleading and do not show the true potential one could have. Businesses would not want to be treated that way. Businesses can solve this themselves, if everyone realizes how much it hurts to be judged then no one would do it.
People need to understand that society is changing. It is becoming a more expressive society in showing who you are. If you will not hire an employee that meets all of your qualifications then people are going to see that you are judgemental and that could be bad for

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your business. The best thing to do is to open up to what the world is changing into because if you do not change with the world, the world will change you. Tattoos can be covered up if
needed, and piercings can be taken out. The idea of a clean, professional look is starting to change. Society today is coming up with new and improved things every week; tattoos are what
is in, the plain look is now out. Let people be who they want to be and show that they are proud of it. A tattoo should not affect their chances of getting a job, let alone an interview. Now is the chance to stop this discrimination against innocent people, who have a symbolization of who they are.